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Very Good

#3201 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 34% in state

Fern Elementary

Elementary School · Torrance Unified

1314 Fern Ave., Torrance, CA 90503

Enrollment

482

Student-Teacher

26.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Torrance

#17 of 33

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,116 of 5,817

In district

#16 of 30

Torrance Unified

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Fern Elementary

Fern Elementary serves 482 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Torrance, California, operating with 18 full-time equivalent teachers for a student-teacher ratio of 26.8:1. The school earns a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 75th percentile statewide, placing #2410 among California's 9566 elementary schools. Academically, Fern Elementary demonstrates strong performance with an 8.5 out of 10 academic score.

Students show balanced achievement across core subjects, with 60% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 61% reach proficiency in mathematics. This consistent performance across both literacy and numeracy reflects the school's comprehensive approach to elementary education. The school serves families in a well-established community where the median household income reaches $117,364 and 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 5.8% and median home values of $991,400 indicate a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class environment that supports educational achievement. Located on Fern Avenue in this mid-size city within Los Angeles County, Fern Elementary operates in a community that values education and provides students with both academic opportunities and neighborhood stability.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Fern Elementary is 26.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.2%
Math vs. State Avg+15.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.5 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,277

Fern Elementary — Students at Fern Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 60.5%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
60%
ELA
61%
2024
Math
61.5%
ELA
60.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Fern Elementary Compares

See how Fern Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

1314 Fern Ave., Torrance, CA 90503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fern Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Torrance Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hickory Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Torrance, see our Torrance schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
THE CHILDRENS PLACE SCHOOL Torrance 0.2 mi
NATIVITY SCHOOL Torrance 0.4 mi 6.4
First Lutheran Torrance 0.5 mi
Branch of Hope School Torrance 0.5 mi
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Torrance 0.5 mi 6.5
Torrance High Torrance 0.7 mi 7.8
AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance 0.8 mi 7.0
AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL Torrance 0.8 mi 6.7
Ambassador High School Torrance 0.8 mi
Madrona Middle Torrance 0.7 mi 6.0
Hickory Tree School Torrance 0.8 mi
HICKORY TREE SCHOOL Torrance 0.8 mi 5.9
PACIFIC EXPLORER MONTESSORI Torrance 0.9 mi
Switzer Learning Center Torrance 0.9 mi
SWITZER LEARNING CENTER Torrance 0.9 mi 7.8
Gene Drevno Community Day Torrance 0.9 mi
Shery (Kurt T.) High (Continuation) Torrance 0.9 mi 6.5
Torrance Elementary Torrance 0.9 mi 7.4
Hickory Elementary Torrance 1.1 mi 6.7
TORRANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Torrance 1.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 90503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,685

Median Home Value

$1,058,100

Median Rent

$2,249/mo

Population

43,764

College Educated

55.4%

Homeownership

52.5%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fern Elementary has a median household income of $119,685. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,058,100, with a median rent of $2,249/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adams Elementary Riverside, CA 7.1
Alpine Vista Tulare, CA 7.1
Ansel Adams Stockton, CA 7.1
Baldwin (Julia) Elementary San Jose, CA 7.1
Bassett Street Elementary Lake Balboa, CA 7.1
Bay Farm Alameda, CA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fern Elementary

What grades does Fern Elementary serve?

Fern Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Fern Elementary?

Fern Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 482 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fern Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Fern Elementary is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fern Elementary rank in CA?

Fern Elementary is ranked #3201 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Fern Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fern Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fern Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fern Elementary has 61.2% math proficiency and 60.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fern Elementary a charter school?

No, Fern Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fern Elementary a Title I school?

No, Fern Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fern Elementary?

41.9% of students at Fern Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,096/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Torrance). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Torrance Unified
District Enrollment
22,109
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,134
District Rank
#16 of 30

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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